Chapter Four: What the Heart Wants
Finally, the day came when Zuko returned home. He was so worried about what everyone would think... Yet, he was greeted with thunderous applause. It was as though all the fear had been for nothing.
Even his father accepted him again.
So... Why did it still feel wrong?
Was it because he knew it was a lie?
The more he thought about it, the more angry and confused he felt. Nothing was as it seemed... He wasn't what everyone wanted him to be, he never would be. He should have joined the Avatar when he'd had the chance.
Part of him knew it never would have worked that way.
The other part couldn't help but wonder... What if he had gone with them? Aang, Sokka, Toph...
Katara.
The dreams about her had never stopped. As much as he cared for Mai, he couldn't get the waterbender out of his mind. Why did she matter so much to him? Why did his thoughts always turn to her when he thought of joining the Avatar?
The longer he stayed at home, the less it felt like home.
He knew soon, very soon, he would follow his heart and fulfill his destiny of being the one to help the Avatar defeat his father and save the world.
Only, he wasn't quite sure that was all his heart wanted.
(…)
Finally, the day came when Katara's healing paid off, and Aang woke up. She was so worried about him, especially because he was so depressed. Yet, soon enough, Aang was back to his normal self. It was as though all the fear had been for nothing.
Aang even started making advances she'd never expected from him.
So... Why did it still feel wrong?
Was it because she still didn't know the truth?
The more she thought about it, the more angry and confused she felt. Nothing was as it seemed... She couldn't stop thinking about Zuko, about the way he'd looked at her in the cave, the way he'd made her feel, before he betrayed her.
Part of her insisted it meant nothing.
The other part couldn't help but wonder... What if he hadn't gone with his sister? What if he'd chosen to join the Avatar?
Zuko.
The dreams about him had never stopped. As much as she cared for Aang, she couldn't get the firebender out of her mind. Why did he matter so much to her? Why did her thoughts always turn to him when she thought of the people she cared about the most?
The longer she thought about it, the more she yearned for the truth.
She knew soon, very soon, she would have to follow her heart and fulfill her destiny of being there for Aang when he needed her the most.
Only, she wasn't quite sure that was all her heart wanted.